This Ain't California - Filmvorführung & Skateboard-Session

The highlight of Freedom Week at Hotel Berlin, Berlin is the screening of This Ain't California—Marten Persiel's multi-award-winning documentary about skateboarding in the GDR, presented by Ronald Vietz, co-author and producer of the film, and Christian Rothenhagen, host of the evening, artist, long-time friend of the hotel, and co-designer of the in-house mini ramp “Sissi.”

The film tells the story of a youth movement that created its own space – between concrete, a shortage economy and state control. With a mixture of archive footage, staged scenes and a pulsating soundtrack from East and West, Persiel paints a vivid portrait of a generation that found not only a sport in skateboarding, but also an attitude to life characterised by independence and non-conformism.

The hotel and the Sissi Skateboard Club will open at 6 p.m.: Visitors can visit the Wallride exhibition and enjoy food and drinks at Café Lütze. At 7 p.m., there will be a short introduction to the film before the screening (99 minutes) begins.

The film will be followed by a Q&A with Ronald Vietz and Christian Rothenhagen, offering exciting insights into the making of the film and the spirit of skateboard culture in the GDR. Afterwards, local skaters will show what skateboarding was all about back then and still is today – creativity, rebellion, and boundless freedom – on the in-house mini ramp.

The Wallride exhibition, curated by Jürgen Blümlein from the Skateboard Museum Berlin, displays a constantly growing collection of skateboard decks, artifacts, iconic photographs, and original artwork. It forms the heart of the Sissi Skateboard Club, which permanently transforms the hotel's event area into a lively meeting place for skateboard culture.

With its unique mix of exhibition, film, and live session, the Sissi Skateboard Club transforms the event area of the Hotel Berlin, Berlin into a piece of living cultural history.

Admission is free, seating is open, and no registration is required. Food and drinks can be purchased at Lütze before and during the film screening.

Everything at a glance:

Admission & exhibition: from 6:00 p.m.
Short introduction & film screening: from 7:00 p.m. 
(This Ain't California, 99 min, German)
Q&A: following the film with Ronald Vietz (co-author & producer) 
and Christian Rothenhagen (protagonist)
Skate session on the “Sissi” mini ramp: following the Q&A
Location: Sissi Skateboard Club at Hotel Berlin, Berlin
Admission: free / no registration required